Major overnight fire continues to smoulder

Two firefighters hurt in spectacular tire fire in Longueuil

Today a fire is still smouldering at a tire warehouse in the Saint-Hubert borough of Longueuil.

The major fire started at around 7 p.m. yesterday at Mécanique Élite on Losch Boulevard, in an industrial park near Highway 116 and Cousineau Boulevard.

The fire triggered several explosions and sent up black plumes of smoke over the skyline on Montreal's South Shore.

More than 40 firefighters were called to the scene initially, joined by another 35 as the evening progressed. .

Two firefighters were sent to hospital with minor burns.

A firefighter is loaded into an ambulance after suffering minor burns. (CBC)

Witnesses reported hearing several small explosions. Authorities on the scene said they were likely caused by small oxygen tanks blowing up or tire rims cracking.

Yesterday, firefighters said they expected to spend most of the night putting out the flames as well as dousing neighbouring buildings with water and foam to prevent the fire from spreading.

Late into the night, the thick smoke could be seen from many kilometres away, and the acrid smell of burning rubber hung in the air.

But Longueuil division fire chief Jean-Guy Ranger said the fumes posed no danger to people living in the residential sector of Saint-Hubert.

"[The smoke] is rising, and it's dissipating into the air," Ranger said yesterday. "At this time of year, luckily, people have their windows closed, people aren't walking around outside, and the smoke is going up."

Ranger said both Environment Canada and Environment Quebec were notified immediately of the fire.